A landmark for the new millennium 3 страница

Excuses, excuses ...

Animals

Before Christmas

Vicky gave this party every year, just before Christmas. She A22 ______ to do it before the war and she was doing it now, when the war was over. It was always the same people who came. It struck her suddenly how clannish they all were, but then the Deravenels in particular were somewhat addicted to their family. Vicky knew that she could always depend A23 ______ her relatives in a crisis.

She was A24 ______ the guests greet each other and share the news. Vicky thought of her sister-in-law Kathleen, not present tonight. Vicky missed her presence. When Will had arrived tonight, he had A25 ______ that Kathleen was really sick. “But not Spanish flu,” he had added swiftly, observing the look of apprehension crossing her face, “just a heavy cold.”

Fenella’s voice brought her out of her reverie, and she looked across at her old friend, who was saying, "How is Charlie feeling?"

“He’s relieved he is safely home, but his wounds still hurt and he feels depressed ..." She looked at Fenella as if A26 ______ advice.

"Mr. Ridgely made a remark to me the other day that he wished there was somewhere wounded soldiers could go, to have some sort of recreation, talk to other soldiers," said Fenella.

“That’s an interesting idea” Vicky glanced at the others, A27 ______ a brow. “Don’t you agree?”

“To A28 ______ the truth, I do,” Stephen answered, always ready to back his wife in her project. “I think such a place would be quite marvelous for the wounded men who are now coming home.” Fenella nodded.

As old as a brontosaurus

Why do we sleep?

Music lessons

It was a hard winter for Mother. She sometimes pleaded with Father but no one could ever tell Father anything. He continued to stand like a rock against stopping my music lessons.

To A22 ______ the truth, Father had certain natural gifts for debate. In the first place his voice was powerful and stormy, and he A23 ______ to let it out at full strength. As a second gift, he was convinced at all times that his opponents were wrong. Hence, even if they won a point or two, it A24 ______ them no good, for he dragged the issue to some other ground then, where he and Truth could prevail. When Mother said it surely was plain enough that I had no ear for music, what was his reply? Why, he said that the violin was the noblest instrument A25 ______ by man. Having silenced her with this solid premise he declared no boy should expect to learn it immediately. It required persistence. Everything, he had found out, required persistence. His motto was, “Never give A26 ______ ”.

He said that Mother should be stricter with me, if necessary, and make me try harder. He also said that none of us realized what he had had to go A27 ______ . Mother started to cry and said, “But you’re downtown, you don’t have to hear it”.

Father was outraged. His final argument, I remember, was that my violin had cost twenty-five dollars, if I didn’t learn it, the money would be wasted, and he couldn’t afford it. But it was put to him that my younger brother Julian could learn it instead. Father was defeated, though he didn’t A28 ______ it, and I was set free.